Tuesday, May 31, 2011

"Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!" (Bold mine) (The Message, Romans 15:13)

Huh? What God of “green” hope? Why does The Message do this?

Before we examine what seems suggestive of earth reverence/earth worship, let us restate some of what has been covered elsewhere about The Message:

A generation has been raised on this disturbing “paraphrase” of the Bible. This is the primary version so many now rely on, and nationally known preachers quote from it with regularity. Yet, as we have seen, The Message flat out omits the sin of homosexuality from several key passages. We see this in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and also in 1 Timothy 1: 8-11 (read about that here).

Does the acceptance and use of The Message explain why many Christians are lukewarm on the issue of homosexuality? Certainly The Message is not the only factor–we dwell in a pro-homosexual media/culture–but place this “Bible” in a person’s hands and it can have, over time, significant influence. How can we understand God’s Truth when Truth is no longer there to be read?

"My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart." (Proverbs 4:20-21)

The beloved author of The Message, Eugene Peterson, has now endorsed two heretical books: The Shack, and Rob Bell’s sly ode to universalism, Love Wins. The Message, bluntly stated, seems written to make Christians less knowledgeable about the Word of God. While that may seem a strong comment, please consider what Eugene Peterson himself said about the Bible:

“Why do people spend so much time studying the Bible? How much do you need to know? We invest all this time in understanding the text which has a separate life of its own and we think we’re being more pious and spiritual when we’re doing it….[Christians] should be studying it less, not more. You need just enough to pay attention to God….I’m just not at all pleased with the emphasis on Bible study as if it’s some kind of special thing that Christians do, and the more the better.” [1] (Bold mine)

I believe The Message is forerunner to a christless, sinless bible that will be used by the false church. There will be a “christ” mentioned, but not our Christ. Not the sinless Savior of humanity. Sin will be addressed, of course, but perhaps more in line with the Alcoholics Anonymous generic theology of “wrongs” and “making amends.”

Homosexuality will be perfectly acceptable, even sacred. And nature, the earth itself, will be worshiped. We have already addressed Eugene Peterson’s removal of homosexuality and other sins in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, but he also inserts the phrase “use and abuse the earth,” something the Lord did not place there at all.

Here is 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 from The Message:

“Don’t you realize that this is not the way to live? Unjust people who do not care about God will not be joining in his kingdom. Those who use and abuse each other, use and abuse sex, use and abuse the earth and everything in it, don’t qualify as citizens in God’s kingdom. A number of you know what I’m talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list. Since then, you’ve been cleaned up and given a fresh start by Jesus, our Master, our Messiah, and by our God present in us, the Spirit.” (Bold mine)

Did you catch that? Peterson’s version claims those who “use and abuse the earth” will not be saved!

Here is 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, from the NASB:

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”

You will not find this apparent form of earth-reverence in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 in any reputable translation of the Bible. It simply is not there.

“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)

Remember this past Easter? Some were not simply celebrating the Resurrection of Christ. According to Jan Markell:

“A very special week was hijacked by the environmental movement last week. What is known as Earth Day landed on the same day as Good Friday, so our crucified Lord had to share the spotlight that day. And if you think this was only the typical antics of the religious Left, think again. Evangelicals have now jumped into this arena. The cause of caring for God’s creation is our responsibility, although we cannot ‘save the planet’ as many herald. Should conservative Christians really be making the theological leap that it was significant that both observances were placed on the calendar on the same day?” [2] (Read entire article here)

It has started, even in the church. Perhaps especially in the church. Earth/nature worship is going to increase in scope and intensity. Peterson’s insertion of ”green” into Romans 15:13 shows us the way the false church will go. This changes the understanding of the passage, allowing a potential God/nature/earth interpretation that simply is not there.

"Oh! May the God of green hope* fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!" (Bold mine) (The Message, Romans 15:13)

Why has Peterson never corrected these things, in all the years The Message has been with us?

Here is NASB, Romans 15:13:

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

You may disagree with my view of the coming false church, and how The Message fits into this. I understand. But I hope you understand the seriousness of what Peterson has done. He has omitted, and he has added. The Message should not be used by the Body of Christ at all.

* Eugene Peterson is a contemplative. Interestingly, “Without this green livery of hope in God alone” is a phrase used in Dark Night of the Soul, the influential contemplative treatise by St. John of the Cross, pg. 112 (read here). Perhaps this was a subtle tribute to an influential contemplative, unbeknownst to the numerous evangelical leaders who glowingly endorsed The Message.

But The Message is not about Eugene Peterson, and never has been. The Message is best understood through Scripture: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

As time goes on, these passages in The Message (1 Cor. 6:9-11, Romans 15:13) will increasingly be viewed and used in terms of earth/nature reverence and spirituality.

"found an association between participants’ professed religious affiliation and the physical structure of their brain. Specifically, those identified as Protestant who did not have a religious conversion or born-again experience — more common among their evangelical brethren — had a bigger hippocampus.”

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority." Colossians 2:8-10 (NASB)

What is your number? the Enneagram asks. What is the Enneagram? you may ask back. For those who aren't aware of this fast-growing phenomenon, the Enneagram is a diagram depicting numbers one through nine, with lines connecting each number to two other numbers, and is promoted by its adherents as a tool to use for personality analysis. But the Enneagram, despite being endorsed as an aid for psychological assessment, actually has its roots in the occult, as this article will show. More disturbing than that, in recent years the Enneagram - along with so many other occultic practices - has crept into the Christian church. This is even more startling than seeing it used in the secular world. Not only is it being used and promoted by some Christians, but it is even being defended as a tool based on biblical principles.

A Little Background on the Enneagram

The Enneagram was promoted by mystic George Gurdjieff (1866?-1949) and by his followers, P. D. Ouspensky (1878-1947) and Oscar Ichazo (b. 1931). Gurdjieff claimed to have learned the Enneagram from the Sufis (a mystical spin-off sect of Islam), though many dispute this.

Psychiatrist Claudio Naranjo (b. 1932), a pioneer of New Age related psychological theories, breathed new life into the Enneagram by refining it as a tool of psychological assessment in which a person discovers his number in the chart, and then studies the best and worst traits of that number via the diagram. Each number represents a particular personality type, and is connected to two other numbers, one which supposedly highlights the worst traits, and the other representing the best.

Meet the Teachers

Gurdjieff was an Armenian teacher of esoteric spiritual philosophies based on knowledge he allegedly garnered during travels and contacts with secret groups, which are recounted in his book, Meetings with Remarkable Men (in the beginning years of her New Age journey, the writer of this article saw a movie based on this book and was strongly influenced by it). However, these accounts were never verified. Gurdjieff held that man is not aware of true reality and needs an awakening of consciousness. He is widely credited as the first person to make the Enneagram publicly known.

Ouspensky, Gurdjieff's pupil, presented Gurdjieff's ideas as the Fourth Way. Ouspensky's teachings on the Enneagram appear in his books, In Search of the Miraculous and The Fourth Way. Like Gurdjieff, Ouspensky wrote about the Enneagram in terms of the "law of seven" and the "law of three," based on Gurdjieff's view of the esoteric laws by which the cosmos operated.

Oscar Ichazo, heavily involved in psychedelic drugs and shamanism,* asserted that he had "received instructions from a higher entity called Metatron" and that his group "was guided by an interior master."

Naranjo, the psychiatrist who studied with Ichazo in Chile, passed on the Enneagram teachings to Jesuit Bob Ochs, who then brought it into Roman Catholic circles at the New Age Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, where Naranjo taught ("A Closer Look at the Enneagram," Dorothy Garrity Ranaghan [South Bend, Indiana: Greenlawn Press, 1989], 9).

Gurdjieff's legacy lives on today in many facets of the New Age Movement. The New Age has inserted itself so subtly into mainstream culture, including the health field (as well as hospitals), education, psychology, business, and sports, that people no longer perceive it as alien. Indeed, some of these areas have been willing, if not eager, vehicles through which New Age concepts have entered society.

The Enneagram's True Essence

In the 1990s, the Enneagram star rose in the secular world, and several business companies began to use it as a tool for personality analysis. At the time, this writer found this odd since the Enneagram, technically speaking, is an occult tool. There is no objective basis for the nine numbers, their categories (such as Reformer, Helper, Achiever, Individualist, etc), or the alleged relationships between the numbers. Most importantly, the Enneagram has as its purpose a spiritual awakening.

The Enneagram purports to lead a person to not only self-understanding, but to an integration of all aspects of the self and, ultimately, to an awakening to the true Self. "Self" is capitalized because the Self is considered by the original (and most contemporary) Enneagram teachers to be divine. The nine numbers most likely originate with Ichazo's belief in the "nine divine forms" of Self, a Self which supposedly has been subverted by ego distortions. There are also the "triads," which is how "your" number is related both positively and negatively through two other numbers. The philosophy for this is directly derived from the esoteric values of Sacred Geometry and from Gnostic views of the self as sacred and pure in essence.

The website for The Enneagram Institute openly refers to concepts from Gurdjieff and company, such as "the Work" and "inner work," to refer to mystical work on the inner self. This "Work," as expressed by Ichazo, involves transcending one's ego in order to find one's "Essence." This is fundamental in Gnostic-based, Eastern, and New Age views.

In this paradigm, one's true self is divine and perfect, but through confusion from wrong beliefs and misperceptions, one has identified with the ego, which is the false self. Thus, there is the "true Self" versus the "false self," a concept familiar to anyone who has studied Eastern religions or New Age teachings. The Enneagram Institute claims that the Enneagram will uncover the wrong view of self and lead one to realize the true Self and thus "live in Essence;" that is, to live fully in the reality of the true divine Self.

The reference to Christianity undoubtedly refers to what is sometimes called "mystical" or "esoteric Christianity." This type of Christianity was often claimed by Gurdjieff and other forerunners of the New Age, and in actuality is a Gnostic (neo-Platonic) distortion of Christianity, not authentic historic Christianity. Gurdjieff, his predecessors in Theosophy,** and those who followed the various offshoots of Theosophy and related groups usually referred to themselves as Christians and believed they had discovered the "true" Christianity. Many today who follow New Age and other arcane philosophies will claim to be mystical or esoteric Christians.

The fact that the origin of the Enneagram is spiritual, that its purpose is spiritual, and that it was passed down through teachers of cryptic spiritualities, should clearly indicate that its validity as any sort of tool to understand self or truth is questionable at best.

The Enneagram's Penetration into the Church

As mentioned previously, the Enneagram has crept into the Christian church in recent years. This is even more disturbing than seeing it taught in the secular world, where one might naturally expect it to be. But not only is the Enneagram being used and promoted by some Christians, it is also being defended as a tool based on biblical principles.

One Christian, Alice Fryling, who promotes and teaches the Enneagram, admits that the roots of the Enneagram and most of the material on it is not Christian, yet she advises people to do a lot of reading "about the Enneagram paradigm" (page 5) to discover their type. She considers the Enneagram to be a "very deep and complex system." This is hardly a recommendation since this describes all occult and New Age systems. Indeed, it is the complexity of such spiritualities that often makes them seductive.

Fryling also claims that the Enneagram can "lead us to a self-awareness that brings us to our knees before the God of grace" (page 2). However, from a Christian standpoint, it is only God's word that gives true self-awareness -- the awareness of man's essential sin nature and need for redemption, as well as convicting and shaping a Christian believer (credit for this point goes to Viola Larson of Naming the Grace Blogspot). It is God's word and the Holy Spirit that convict, teach, and correct man through God's truth (Psalm 119; John 16:8; James 2:9; 2 Timothy 3:16).

It should be noted that Fryling approvingly refers to Richard Rohr, a Franciscan friar who runs the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At his conferences, Rohr promotes not only the Enneagram, but panentheism (God is in everything, i.e., the earth as God's "body"), Buddhism, and New Ager Marianne Williamson. Fryling's apparent admiration of Rohr is seriously unsettling.

Another well-known Christian advocate of the Enneagram, Suzanne Stabile, promotes Richard Rohr and has taught the Enneagram at his Conferences. She describes the Enneagram as "primarily a spiritual tool."

The Heretical Monk

Fryling asserts that Christian origins of the Enneagram go back to a 4th century "desert monk," Evagrius Ponticus, who wrote on "life patterns" discovered by the "ancient spiritual teachers" (non-Christians) who originated the Enneagram and passed it on via "oral tradition." However, she gives no historical references or explanation for the origin or validity of these "life patterns." One must wonder if these so-called "life patterns" are the occult paradigms derived from Sufis or other similar groups referred to by Gurdjieff. The "ancient spiritual teachers" are pagan, not Christian.

Furthermore, Ponticus was influenced and inspired by the esoteric philosophy of Neo-Platonism, a deadly mixture of Gnosticism and Christianity. Ponticus was also a student of the heretical teachings of Origen of Alexandria. Ponticus himself was later condemned for his teachings in 400 and 533.

It is mystifying as to why Fryling would use Ponticus as a Christian rationale for the Enneagram. It seems that referencing this monk in a positive way would be an embarrassment to any Christian, and, if anything, it gives evidence for the non-Christian nature of the Enneagram.

Sacred Geometry and Physics

The reason given by the Enneagram Institute for the nine types is a Gnostic idea of the "nine divine forms," and a presumption that man's natural essence is perfect and in union with Divinity.

Advocates of the Enneagram point to the geometric proportions in the diagram that illustrate the relationship of the numbers to each other as support for their view that there is a special meaning and purpose to the diagram. This is sacred geometry, an occult belief that shapes, patterns, or certain proportions have special inner meaning. Sacred geometry is central to Feng Shui as well as being found in a number of other occult arts.

Sacred Geometry most closely relates to occult divination, which in this case is interpreting hidden meaning in shapes or patterns.*** Divination is the belief that an image, number, or pattern conceals a hidden meaning or message and, if properly interpreted, provides information or guidance outside any objective support for this interpretation. The fact that there are recurring geometric shapes and patterns in the natural world actually reveals that there is an Intelligence as the source of creation -- the Creator God who by His power created the world from nothing. Geometric patterns are evidence for God, not harbingers of hidden messages that must be divined.

There is no objective basis for dividing personality types into nine types. Astrology has twelve personality distinctions. Why nine? Why not twelve, seven, or five? Re-tooling occult arts with psychology for contemporary times is an ongoing process to gain credibility (and possibly to market new products and practices). Mixing in a so-called psychological assessment does not validate either the tool -- whether it be astrology or the Enneagram -- or the psychological analysis itself. Psychology is rife with competing theories; one can hardly claim any objective basis for a particular psychological approach or analysis of personality.

Palmer's online course, "Using the Enneagram In Psychological Assessment and Practice," has been approved by the American Psychological Association, and taking the course earns the graduate and doctoral student 15 hours or credits of Continuing Education credit.

Credit is offered despite the fact that the course's page openly states that one of the objectives is for the student to "understand the spiritual significance of the Enneagram." Though not surprising, it is a sad commentary on our society that the theories and advice of a psychic are taken seriously by psychologists. It only further confirms the infiltration of New Age philosophy into the mainstream.

Self-Absorption

As a former professional astrologer, one objection this writer has for finding "one's type," is that our nature is such that we too easily revel in a label that we can use as an identity, and then continue to view ourselves through that filter. A Christian should strive to view himself through God's word; man-based categories detract from and may blur or negate that perspective.

Focusing on the self easily leads to self-absorption. It is fine to know one's strengths and weaknesses, but the Enneagram is not needed for this, especially because 1) there is no objective basis for the Enneagram, and 2) the Enneagram claims to offer solutions via an "awakening" to the "True Self." Using the Enneagram to identify one's type too easily becomes a pathway to its prescribed solution.

Indeed, the Enneagram claims to be "a map of wholeness" and "a tool and guide for exploring the depths of the human soul" that leads us "toward a deeper realization of our True Nature," the "True Nature" being, of course, a divine "Essence."

According to Palmer (the psychic), "The ultimate vocation of the Enneagram is to awaken the 'Inner Observer' in service to psychological wholeness, authentic spirituality and ultimately compassion for ourselves and each other." In contrast, Christians are being made whole and complete in Christ (Philippians 1:6; Colossians 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:17) through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Occult Initiation

A simple investigation into the Enneagram reveals that its theories of personality are based on esoteric teachings and an occult worldview. The clear origin and purpose of the Enneagram is to initiate a Gnostic spiritual awakening to one's alleged true divine Self, which is in itself an occult initiation. This is the claim and goal of virtually all occult and New Age teachings. The purpose of such initiation is a shift in consciousness, a change in the way one views reality -- God, the world, others, and self.

Occult initiation can be found in many non-Christian systems, desired or not. In Yoga and certain forms of meditation, it is the awakening of the Kundalini, the alleged serpent-like power at the base of the spine; in Reiki, the teacher "awakens" or "activates" the purported healing energy within the student; in Eastern meditation, it involves being given a mantra (a word or phrase to be repeated in meditation); Eastern gurus give their followers shaktipat, which supposedly confers grace and arouses the Kundalini; and the altered states of Eastern and New Age based meditations will certainly lead to occult awakening.

Occult initiations also occur spontaneously -- and unbidden -- if the person is involved in Eastern, New Age, or occult practices. An occult initiation may culminate in meeting one's "spirit guide," a disembodied being who is supposedly one's spiritual teacher. ****

The Gnostic initiation or awakening is the occult counterfeit of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and His regeneration of the believer upon faith in Christ. This regeneration, called by Jesus being "born from above" (John 3:3; see also 2 Corinthians 5:17), is supernatural, life-giving, and from God. Gnostic or occult awakening is the kiss of death. Though it appears to open a door onto a shining vista, its light is artificial and it brings the person only into bondage. The true light is Jesus Christ: "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." (John 12:46, KJV).

** The Theosophical Society, founded in New York in 1875 by Madame Helena Blavatsky, includes Hindu-based beliefs combined with a belief that humanity is guided by disembodied, enlightened "Masters" and other esoteric teachings whose messages can only be interpreted by a few. Theosophy greatly influenced early thinkers of the New Age movement. For the fascinating story of Theosophy, see Peter Washington's Madame Blavatsky's Baboon (Schocken, 1996, paperback edition)

***Divination is also attributing hidden meaning to images such as with Tarot cards; to numbers, as in numerology, also called arithmancy; or to patterns in the natural world, as in astrology or palmistry; as well as seeking information via occult supernatural means or sources .

****The writer of this article had spirit guides, the first one being introduced via a guided meditation.

Monday, May 23, 2011

“A person’s religion may look well for a season. An ignorant eye may detect no difference between the possessor of such a religion, and a true Christian. Both may worship in the same Church. Both may use the same ordinances. Both may profess the same faith. The outward appearance of the house built on the rock, and the house without any solid foundation, may be much the same. But the day of trial and affliction is the test which the religion of the mere outward professor cannot stand. When storm and tempest beat on the house which has no foundation, the walls which looked well in sunshine and fair weather, are sure to come to the ground. The Christianity which consists of merely hearing religion taught, without doing anything, is a building which must finally fall. Great indeed will be the ruin! There is no loss like the loss of a soul.”

In a recent article, popular emergent author Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz) pondered who feels closer to God: liberal theologians or conservative theologians. In this article, Miller also deconstructed the personality traits of both liberals v. conservatives through the use of something known as the Enneagram in an effort to answer this question. What in the world is the Enneagram? I'm so glad you asked, because it is something that is rapidly gaining popularity in Christian circles, but it is far from Christian in its beliefs. The Enneagram is something that is promoted as a tool for assessing one's personality traits. More insidiously, however, it has at its root some very troubling New Age theology; chiefly, the idea that all people are born with a Divine inner spark. Rather than being Christian in nature, this view of the Divine inner spark is distinctly eastern and panentheistic:

"Our true nature is Essence. Essence and personality are not separate: personality exists in, and is made out of Essence. While we have a personality, it is only a part of the totality of our true Self. Most of the time we are entranced by our personality and do not remember our Essential nature, or who we really are." (online source)

Also, in Enneagram teachings, there does not seem to be a concept of personal sin:

"Remember that all negative behavior is the result of unprocessed pain. In the course of our work, we uncover difficult feelings, powerful Essential states, and many qualities of emptiness. The more we can learn to tolerate these different aspects of ourselves, the more quickly and smoothly our work will progress." (online source)

The closest thing the Enneagram has to the Christian concept of sin is that "unprocessed pain" (not sin) results in one's life not running as smoothly as one wishes. This is in distinct contrast to the biblical understanding of sin, and is actually more Buddhist in theology than Christian. This belief also diminishes one's personal responsibility for sinful behavior toward others. Indeed, there does not even seem to be an understanding of sin according to the Enneagram construct. Now, as a former New Ager, I can bear witness that this idea of there not being a concept or even an understanding of sin is extremely New Age. What biblical Christians would regard as sin that needs to be repented of and turned from is, according to the Enneagram, merely "unprocessed pain" that gets in the way of one's desired life:

"Remember that it is our birthright and our natural state to be wise and noble, to be loving and generous, to esteem ourselves and others, to be creative and constantly renewing ourselves, to be engaged in the world in awe and wonder and in depth, to have courage and to be able to rely on ourselves, to be joyous and effortlessly accomplished, to be strong and effective, to be self-possessed and enjoy an unshakable peace of mind—and above all, to be present to the unfolding mystery of our lives." (online source)

The above ideas, too, are far more New Age than they are Christian. While a born again Christian is given the right to be called a child of God, and given a new heart and new desires, it is no-one's "birthright" to have the gifts listed by the Enneagram Institute:

- to be wise
- to be loving
- to esteem others
- to have peace of mind
- etc.

In fact, we know from Scripture that we are born sinful, and that our only "birthright" is rightful condemnation:

"Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely You desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place." Psalm 51:5-6

"The wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Not only are we born into sin, but it is God alone who is able to free us from the bondage of sin through Christ's atoning death which we access by repentance and faith. And it is God alone who grants gifts such as wisdom, a loving heart, the ability to supernaturally and selflessly love others, etc. In fact, it is not even within anyone's ability to have any of these gifts without the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit. We know from Scripture that these are gifts that only come from being born again. Without regeneration, we are wretched creatures: self-seeking, vain, prideful and unable to have peace of mind about the most important thing a human could possibly contemplate.....whether or not one is right with God.

But back to the question in Donald Miller's article: who "feels" more at home with God.....conservative theologians or liberal theologians?

I would submit that the real issue is not whether or not people "feel" at home with God, but whether or not they are actually, positionally, right with God. And this actually being right with God only comes through faith in Christ's atoning death. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and Jews often "feel at home" with God....only, they're not. ONLY true, born again Christians will actually be near to God. And yet, as a practicing Hindu before becoming a born again Christian, I "felt" very near to God. Such is the deceptive nature of false religion. In fact, when Christians would witness to me, I would laugh at them. I just knew they were wrong because my mystical experiences of "god" were so powerful and profound and spiritual that it never even occurred to me that I could be the one who was in the wrong. So what we "feel" can never be our guide about whether or not something is true. The Bible tells us that the heart (feelings), absent the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit, is deceitful, and is not to be trusted.

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9

So again, back to Miller's article. Liberal/emergent theologians (like the ones mentioned in his article) do not hold to orthodox Christianity: their views of God are decidedly panentheistic/mystical in nature, and the leaders of this movement outright deny the essentials of the faith. I'm not saying people under the teachings of this movement can't ever be saved.....in fact, I believe that many of them are confused. But IF in fact they do hold to emergent theology, they are not saved. So whether or not they "feel" close to God is irrelevant. The fact would remain that, regardless of their deceitful feelings, they would be far from God because they are in rebellion to how he has revealed himself in his Word.

"We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will." John 9:31

"The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous." Proverbs 15:29

We are living in a very feelings-oriented culture in which people divorce and remarry based on how they feel or don't feel about their spouses. People leave their jobs, move hundreds of miles away, end relationships, buy houses, etc., often on just a whim or a feeling. We can see all around us the effects of people being driven by their fickle feelings. But as for Christians, we know that the only sure foundation for our lives is studying, knowing and obeying God's word. In fact, I can attest for myself that studying and knowing God's Word has had a profoundly steadying influence on my life. As a feelings-driven, New Age mystic, I was the epitome of the James 1:8 person: double-minded and unstable in all my ways. And it wasn't until I began to rely solely on God's Word (the Reformation principle known as "Sola Scriptura") as a Christian, that my Christian walk actually began to be fruitful.

One of the best compliments I ever received as a Christian was from a girlfriend who was having marriage problems, and who was seeking my counsel, as her friend. After some discussion, I circled back to something I had previously commented on, and said, "You know, let me revise what I just said there. I would like to take some more time to think this through and make sure that my counsel to you lines up with God's Word." My friend got tears in her eyes and said, "This is why I came to you: I knew you wouldn't give me your thoughts and worldly wisdom. I knew you would give me truth."

I knew what she meant, and it has nothing to do with me being so smart or a good counselor or anything like that. It meant that she knows me well enough to know that I have a very high view of God's Word, and that to the best of my ability and aided by the Holy Spirit, I would attempt to give her counsel that was in alignment with what God desired of her in this matter.

Friends, we don't possess truth. But God does, and we can find it in his Word, which He divinely wrote and protected for millenium so that we might know who He is, and what He requires of us. May we hold fast to God's Word and encourage each other.....not with worldly wisdom, pop psychlogy or fickle feelings, but with real truth...God's Word.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Answer: Jesus warned us that “false Christs and false prophets” will come and will attempt to deceive even God’s elect (Matthew 24:23-27; see also 2 Peter 3:3 and Jude 17-18). The best way to guard yourself against falsehood and false teachers is to know the truth. To spot a counterfeit, study the real thing. Any believer who “correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) and who makes a careful study of the Bible can identify false doctrine. For example, a believer who has read the activities of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Matthew 3:16-17 will immediately question any doctrine that denies the Trinity. Therefore, step one is to study the Bible and judge all teaching by what the Scripture says.

Jesus said “a tree is recognized by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33). When looking for “fruit,” here are three specific tests to apply to any teacher to determine the accuracy of his or her teaching:

1) What does this teacher say about Jesus? In Matthew 16:15-16, Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and for this answer Peter is called “blessed.” In 2 John 9, we read, “Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” In other words, Jesus Christ and His work of redemption is of utmost importance; beware of anyone who denies that Jesus is equal with God, who downplays Jesus’ sacrificial death, or who rejects Jesus’ humanity. First John 2:22 says, “Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son.”

2) Does this teacher preach the gospel? The gospel is defined as the good news concerning Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). As nice as they sound, the statements “God loves you,” “God wants us to feed the hungry,” and “God wants you to be wealthy” are not the complete message of the gospel. As Paul warns in Galatians 1:7, “Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” No one, not even a great preacher, has the right to change the message that God gave us. “If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:9).

3) Does this teacher exhibit character qualities that glorify the Lord? Speaking of false teachers, Jude 11 says, “They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.” In other words, a false teacher can be known by his pride (Cain’s rejection of God’s plan), greed (Balaam’s prophesying for money), and rebellion (Korah’s promotion of himself over Moses). Jesus said to beware of such people and that we would know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20).

For further study, review those books of the Bible that were written specifically to combat false teaching within the church: Galatians, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, and Jude. It is often difficult to spot a false teacher/false prophet. Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), and his ministers masquerade as servants of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:15). Only by being thoroughly familiar with the truth will we be able to recognize a counterfeit.

Friday, May 20, 2011

We first met Carole as a result of exchanging information on the famous Indian guru Swami Rama. The following information is taken from material sent to us.

Carole was very sick, and the doctors were unable to find the cause of her illness. She decided to go to a physician-nutritionist recommended by a friend. In his office she found some literature about the Himalayan Institute, of which the doctor was a staff member. The institute was founded by Indian Swami Rama, one of the most scientifically studied of the gurus, beginning with famous biofeedback researcher Dr. Elmer Green. Carole decided to attend the institute and began lessons in hatha yoga. Eventually she was initiated and received her mantra, or word of power, from Swami Rama. As he laid his hands upon her head, the typical transfer of occult energy began (termed shaktipat diksha). Carole was in heaven:

"Currents of electrical energy began to permeate my head and went down into my body.... It was as if a spell had come over me, the bliss that I felt was as if I had been touched by God. The power that had come from his hand, and simply being in his presence, drew me to him irresistibly."

The night after receiving her mantra, Carole was actually visited by a living spirit being who claimed to be the spirit of Swami Rama himself. Although no one had ever mentioned the spirit world in her church (they did not believe in such things), Carole felt that this was the means of directly communing with God. She proceeded to experience wonderful, powerful forces and energies, while thoughts were impelled into her consciousness with a magnetic-like force.

"Electrical currents were pulsating around my body and then moved into my hand, the currents were shaking my hand and strong, almost entrancing thoughts were being impressed into my mind, "Meditate, meditate. I want to speak with you." It was a miracle. I was communicating with the spirit world. I had found God. Sitting in the darkness of my living room I began to repeat my mantra. A presence seemed to fill the room. I began to see visions of being one with the universe and the magnetic thoughts were now leaving and I was hearing a voice, which identified itself as Swami Rama, saying he was communicating with me through astral travel.

Within one week, after meditating many hours each day and still in constant communication with this spirit, forces began to come upon me and gave me powers to do yoga postures; I was floating through them, the forces giving me added breath even... postures that before would be very painful to do."

However, after two weeks of daily meditation, Carole became engulfed in a nightmare of utter dread and terror. Voices which once claimed they were angelic turned threatening, even demonic. She was brutally assaulted, both physically and spiritually. During meditation, in the midst of being violently shaken, she could sense that the very same energy received at initiation, energy which was now felt to be personal, was attempting to remove her life-essence from her physical body-in her words, "to literally pull the life from my shell of a body." She sensed an overwhelming and implacable hatred directed toward her, as if "monstrosities of another world were trying to take my very soul from me, inflicting pain beyond endurance, ripping and tearing into the very depths of my being."

The intermittent suffocation and torment seemed to be interminable; her fears only increased as she realized there was no one to help her. Finally the attack subsided. But unfortunately, it was merely the first of many to come.

It seems that nothing could stop the assaults. Her agonized pleas to the spirits were ignored; her husband was powerless. Her father wanted her to see a psychiatrist; others also doubted her sanity. In desperation, her mother contacted psychic friends from a local church of the Unity School of Christianity. They laid hands on Carole and commanded that "the divinity within" deliver her, but to no avail.

Dr. G. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D., entered the picture. He is a noted neurosurgeon, a former professor at Harvard University, past president of the American Holistic Medical Association, and the author of Occult Medicine Can Save Your Life. Dr. Shealy also works in conjunction with psychics and spiritists such as Carolyn Myss. Dr. Shealy was unable to help and referred Carole to Dr. Robert Leichtman, M.D., a spiritist who is coauthor of several dozen books received by revelation from the spirits.[1]

Leichtraan admitted that Carole's situation was not uncommon among followers of Eastern gurus. In fact, he told her some have died as a result of similar psychic attacks. But he, too, was unable to help. His instructions, such as visualizing herself in the white "Christ light" of protection were useless. By this time, Carole was near the end:

I had to endure the torture, unable to free myself. To those around me I was insane. No one believed me and no one could free me. The hopelessness I felt was unbearable. No one believed me except the psychics... and they could do nothing.

I was defenseless against these never-ending attacks... hundreds of presences filling my room, which itself would be filled with thick, ice cold air, my body drenched with perspiration as my whole being fought against them.

After spending several weeks at my parents' we decided perhaps I could try returning home. But that night the spirits started to exert their full power.

First, against my skull. It felt as if they were trying to crack it open, like the air was being cut off to my brain. Incredible pressure was exerted upon my back and chest, pulling with a wrench-like grip. It felt like they were trying to pull my shoulder from its socket, pressing on my eyes trying to blind me, pushing on my throat trying to choke me. Filled with fear and exhaustion, on the brink of death I screamed to my husband, "I'm dying; I can't take it anymore. Get me to the hospital."

I was taken to the hospital where I laid like a scared dog cowering on a cart. I could hardly speak but at least the spirits were gone-temporarily.... The doctor on duty recommended a psychiatrist who saw me the next morning. He told me I was covering up some deep problems with this "talk of evil spirits."

"There is no such thing as the devil," he said coldly.

Carole admitted herself to the hospital, but once more no one could help. The attacks finally subsided and she was released.

Upon returning home, the attacks began again. More unimaginable torment. Although she was terrified of death, death was now her desire. Wishing to take her life but too fearful of dying, in desperation she readmitted herself to the hospital. Once again, she was placed in a locked ward. She felt that here she would die-alone and in torment.

But today, Carole is alive and well. Even her psychiatrist was amazed at the miraculous transformation. She was now in perfect health, both mentally and physically.

Carole knew she was free from the spirits. But how? Carole was unable to help herself. Her best friends could not help her, nor her parents or husband. Neither the medication nor the medical profession could do anything. The psychics were the most powerless of all. Today, Carole attributes both her health and her life to a living Jesus Christ who delivered her from a desperate plight.

Reflecting today on her predicament, she is awed that such terrible destruction could be purchased at the price of a simple, supposedly harmless form of meditation.[2]

When knowledge only sticks in a man’s head, and has no influence over his heart and life, it becomes a most perilous possession. And when, in addition to this, its possessor is self-conceited and self-satisfied, and imagines he knows everything, the result is one of the worst states of soul into which man can fall. There is far more hope about him who says, “I am a poor blind sinner and want God to teach me,” than about him who is ever saying, “I know it, I know it, I am not ignorant,” and yet cleaves to his sins. The sin of that man “remains.”

Let us use diligently whatever religious knowledge we possess, and ask continually that God would give us more. Let us never forget that the devil himself is a creature of vast head-knowledge, and yet none the better for it, because it is not rightly used. Let our constant prayer be that which David so often sent up in the hundred and nineteenth Psalm. “Lord, teach me your statutes give me understanding – unite my heart to fear Your name.”

Saturday, May 7, 2011

I was pregnant with my firstborn son at the same time that my twin sister (who helps write this blog) was pregnant with her second-born child (a girl, as it turned out). My sister and I have always been close, and sharing our pregnancies together was almost unbearably sweet to me, and knitted our hearts together even more, if it were possible, than they already were. Here are some fun Sola Sisters pregnancy facts:

◆ Our due dates were about a week apart

◆ We each found out that we were pregnant just before a large scheduled family vacation together during which we both tried to hide the fact of our pregnancies from each other because both she and her husband, and I and my husband, wanted to do a big surprise announcement one night over dinner to everyone gathered

◆ We both had intense morning sickness which, looking back on this, should have made the whole hiding-it-from-each-other thing impossible to do, but somehow we managed

◆ We still call her daughter and my son "the twins" in light of the fact that they were born to twins, and their birthdays ended up being so close together

◆ My sister had the most adorable labor and delivery....during which she reported to me on the phone (after having just given birth) that she had her new baby girl cradled in her arms, and a friend had just brought her Starbucks blueberry scones and a latte

◆ I did not have an adorable labor and delivery. My labor started on a Thursday and finally ended Sunday morning.

◆ My sister had her daughter on Mother's Day 2001

◆ I was obsessed with chocolate cake during my pregnancy with my son. And when I say obsessed, I mean that in the pursuit of perfecting my chocolate cake recipe, I averaged making about two cakes per month. That's right folks, if you have done the math, you've come up with about 18 chocolate cakes, give or take, over the course of my pregnancy.

In addition to my first son, almost two years later to the day, God gave me another son. And next to my husband, my children truly are the light and joy of my life. I love being a mother, and I love watching these little guys grow toward manhood. And of course, I desire for them to love and cherish God above all other things.

In honor of Mother's Day 2011, I am sharing the chocolate cake recipe I finally landed on during that first pregnancy. And before you think to yourself, oh, it's just another cake recipe, please consider this: a pregnant woman (think intense food cravings) made eighteen cakes (give or take) in the pursuit of coming up with this recipe. And please also consider this: this cake became known in our church as "the cake." As in, "Jim, are you and Christine coming to the covered dish supper? Oh really? Well, is Christine going to bring the cake?"

It's not me, folks, I promise, it was just the crazy hormones at work that made me do it. But let me just say in advance.....you're welcome.

Combine cocoa with boiling coffee and whisk till dissolved. Whisk in cold half and half and set aside to cool to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9" round cake pans, and line with a circle of waxed paper or parchment paper. Grease again and dust liberally with cocoa.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a large mixing bowl, combine oil, sugar and vanilla, and beat till fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition. Alternately add dry ingredients and room temperature cocoa/coffee/cream mixture to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. When just combined (do not overbeat), scrape down sides and beat about 15-30 seconds more.

Pour into prepared pans and bake till a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached (30-35 mins). Cool in pans completely before removing. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting:

Thursday, May 5, 2011

"Let us always remember, that baptism, church-membership, reception of the Lord's Supper, and a diligent use of the outward forms of Christianity, are not sufficient to save our souls. They are leaves, nothing but leaves, and without fruit will add to our condemnation. Like the fig leaves of which Adam and Eve made themselves garments, they will not hide the nakedness of our souls from the eye of an all-seeing God, or give us boldness when we stand before Him at the last day. No! we must bear fruit, or be lost forever. There must be fruit in our hearts and fruit in our lives, the fruit of repentance toward God, faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and true holiness in our conversation. Without such fruits as these a profession of Christianity will only sink us lower into hell."

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Irish filmmaker Phelim McAleer has just released the video below which details the sharp contrast between what Prince Charles of Great Britain professes to believe and his own personal lifestyle.

Yes, I recognize that royals, as public figures and leaders, must maintain a certain amount of protected space around them, but if Prince Charles truly did believe that we only have six years to save the planet, as he has stated, then wouldn't it be incumbent upon him to lead the way by actually living out his beliefs? Oh the rich, rich irony of a man who splits his time between palaces but urges his subjects to "live with less." Reminds me of another royal who was hopelessly out of touch with the plight of the working man:

Courtier: "Majesty, the villagers are starving! They have no bread to eat!"